Queen Mary and King Frederik’s fairytale love story started at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 – and now the royal couple are putting on a united front at the 2024 games after overcoming a tough year blighted by ‘affair’ rumours

It’s where the Queen and King of Denmark’s love story first began 24 years ago.

A then Mary Donaldson and Frederik, the Crown Prince, were among the thousands of fans who descended on Sydney for the 2000 Olympics, and after meeting at a bar, one of the world’s most famous fairytale romances began between them.

So it is of little surprise that the Danish royal couple love nothing more than travelling to the games every few years, perhaps as a sentimental reminder of when they first met.

The nostalgic-filled event likely couldn’t come at a better time for Queen Mary, 52, and King Frederik, 56, who have faced a difficult few months following rumours that the father-of-four had an affair, which has been strenuously denied.

But on Thursday, the pair appeared in great spirits as they participated in the opening of the Danish pavilion at the Maison du Danemark in Champs-Elysees, which will be open throughout the games this summer.  

Looking effortlessly elegant in a red ensemble, a beaming Mary joined her equally happy husband Frederik to cut the ribbon for the official opening of the Danish pavilion.

She and Frederik later greeted the president of the Olympic committee Thomas Bach in an atmospheric setting in front of the Louvre and the tournament’s famous rings.

Teaming her look with a white blazer, Mary was dressed in her country’s colours, sending a strong message of support to the team. 

Today, the couple have once again stepped out for the games, attending the torch relay in the French capital. Mary put on a chic display in a white gown and red blazer for the outing.

It comes after the royal couple were spotted enjoyed a relaxing beach holiday to Sardinia on Monday.

But rather than continue their much-needed downtime on the Italian island, the duo made their way to Paris later this week to attend their beloved Olympics.

Mary, who was working was on the management team at Belle Property, was just 28-years-old when she first laid eyes on her Prince, a Captain in the Danish Reserve, or Air Force.

The pair met at The Slip Inn during the 2000 Summer Olympics, with it previously reported Mary supposedly had no idea the handsome European tourist she had been chatting to for hours was actually the future king of Denmark.

However, in 2021, Amber Petty, a bridesmaid at the couple’s wedding in 2004, revealed the pair actually met at an ‘exclusive private dinner party’ at the bar and the whole thing was ‘organised’.

Speaking to Channel Seven breakfast show Sunrise, Petty said the event was attended by a group of royals who were visiting Australia for the 2000 Olympics.

‘I’m sorry to break everybody’s hearts, but it’s not always about randomly bumping into princes in pubs,’ she said on the program.

‘It wasn’t just a random meeting… it was an organised small dinner during the Olympics and Mary happened to be invited and most of the guests happened to be royals.’

After the pub encounter, then 32-year-old Fred – who was in Australia to support Denmark’s sailing team at the games – asked Mary for her phone number and a romance blossomed. 

After the pub encounter, then 32-year-old Fred – who was in Australia to support Denmark’s sailing team at the 2000 Olympics – asked Mary for her phone number and a romance blossomed.

‘The first time we met we shook hands. I didn’t know he was the Prince of Denmark. Half an hour later someone came up to me and said, “Do you know who these people are”?’ Mary revealed in an interview about meeting the heir to the Danish throne.

They maintained a long-distance relationship for a year, with Frederik making secret trips Down Under before Mary moved to Denmark to study Danish language at Copenhagen’s Studieskolen in 2001.

In early 2003, Frederik’s mother Queen Margrethe publicly acknowledged the relationship and the couple announced their engagement at Amalienborg Castle later that year on October 8.

Frederik and Mary married on May 14, 2004 at Copenhagen Cathedral, with the newly minted Crown Princess opting for a beautiful gown by Danish designer Uffer Frank and a veil first used by Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden in 1905.

In a nod to her heritage, Mary carried a bouquet of Australian snow gum eucalyptus interspersed with blooms from the Palace garden.

At the altar, Frederik announced: ‘From today, Mary is mine and I am hers. I love her, and I will protect her with all my love.’

Their first child, Prince Christian Valdemar Henri John, was born October 15, 2005; Princess Isabella Henrietta Ingrid Margrethe followed on April 21, 2007.

Almost four years later Mary and Frederik welcomed twins, Princess Josephine Sophia Ivalo Mathilda and Prince Vincent Frederik Minik Alexander at the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen on January 8, 2011.

Standing on the hospital steps, a beaming Frederik declared: ‘It’s a miracle.’

The family has returned to Mary’s native Australia on many occasions, visiting famous landmarks in Sydney, Canberra and the Northern Territory and even spending Christmas Down Under.

The sporting event which brought them together continues to hold a special place in their hearts, with the couple attending the Olympics in Athens in 2004, Beijing in 2008, Vancouver in 2010, London in 2012 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016. 

In 2009, Frederik was appointed to the International Olympic Committee – a role he has had ever since.

In between the Summer Olympics, Mary and Frederik have attended a number of winter and youth games; in 2010 the pair travelled to Vancouver for the Winter Olympics and also attended the 2012 Youth Olympics. 

This year Frederik and Mary’s marriage has been plagued with rumours since the King was pictured out in Madrid with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova last year.

Snaps of the pair showed them heading to a traditional Flamenco restaurant in the Spanish capital, where Genoveva lives, where Spanish magazine Lecturas reported they dined together until the early hours.

Following publication of the photos, rumours of an affair between the pair circulated. 

It eventually resulted in Genoveva, 47, issuing a statement denying any kind of romantic relationship between herself and the royal and slamming the ‘malicious’ rumours.

However cracks seemingly began to appear in Queen Mary and King Frederik’s relationship following his night out with the socialite. 

The couple, who have been married for 20 years, began to display what looked like frosty body language towards each other in public appearances, most notably on a ski trip back in March.

Mary then seemed to fuell the rumour mill even further by completing a series of solo engagements without her husband present. 

More recently however, the pair seem to have been back to their usual cheery selves, and the couple have been long beloved by royal fans for their affectionate displays towards one another. 

Retiring to their summer palace in Graasten earlier this month, the couple couldn’t seem to keep their hands off each other; Frederik at one point gently placed a hand on his wife’s back. 

It comes after royal experts questioned the safety of Danish royals after a resurfaced video saw Queen Mary hit by a mobility scooter while visiting Greenland last month. 

In the short clip obtained by Ekstra Bladet, the wife of King Frederik X can be seen greeting fans before being knocked to the ground – with horrified onlookers crowding around.

The mother-of-four, 52, cried out as she fell and looked frazzled after the incident, but managed to maintain her composure after regaining her feet. 

Her security guards quickly leapt into action and stopped the scooter from moving any further.

The driver of the scooter appeared more shaken than the Queen following the incident, saying he ‘did not know what happened’.

The elderly man said he had meant to extend his arm toward Queen Mary, hoping she would take it, but hit the accelerator instead.

However, fans and observers have been left asking how a member of the Danish monarchy was even allowed to be put in such a situation.

Speaking to FEMAIL, royal expert Kenth G. Madsen called for a strengthening of security measures at public appearances by monarchs and politicians, citing another recent incident where Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was recently assaulted by a drunk man in Copenhagen.

‘First and foremost, threat assessments must be updated regularly to reflect the current security situation,’ he said.

‘This includes increased surveillance and intelligence as well as closer cooperation with local and international authorities.

‘In addition, the number of bodyguards and security personnel should be increased, and safe zones should be established around public events.

‘Crisis response plans must also be updated and practiced regularly to ensure quick and effective handling of unforeseen events. At the same time, there must be clear lines of communication between all units involved to ensure a coordinated effort.’

Mary was visibly shaken after the incident. Her youngest children, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, were just metres away when the monarch was knocked down.

Frederik was also greeting fans nearby when the dark grey scooter struck his wife, causing her to lose her balance.

The Palace media team confirmed Mary was not hurt during the incident and she was able to continue on her planned schedule of events.

A spectator speaking to The Australian revealed how the crowd was left in shock following the incident.

‘I could see how much it hurt her, her eyes watered immediately. It must hurt to be hit at that speed. The police immediately barricaded and removed her from the situation,’ they said.